Thill-coupling.



N0. 683,926. Patented Dot. 8, |90| J. L. FRAZIER.

THILL GOUPLING. plication led lec` 24, 190

(No Model.)

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NrTnD STATES PATENT' OFFICE. i

JAMES L. FRAZIER, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

THILL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 683,926, dated October8, 1901.

Application filed December 2,4, 1900. Serial No. ll.0,999. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom Lr may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES L. FRAZIER,-a citizen of the United States,residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in rPhill-Couplings; and Ido hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and eXactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention pertains to thill-couplings, and has for its object toimprove the construction and increase the utility of this class ofdevices.

In the drawings forminga part of this application and presentedherewith, Figure 1 represents a side view, in part section, of myimproved coupling attached to the axle of the vehicle, showing the eyeofthe thill connected therewith. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig.3 is a sectional view of a pair of pivoted jaws, showing a wedge enteredbetween them. Fig. 4 is a plan View of a portion of the jaws shown inFig. 3, showing the wedge. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a portion ofmy improved thill-coupling with the jaws broken away to show astrengthening-stud. Fig. 6 is a perspective view ot' a stern whichcarries the wedge. Fig. 7is an elevation in part section of a modifiedform of means for withdrawing the wedge from between the arms. Fig. 8 isa rear view of a portion of the same. Fig. 9 is also a modified formofmeans for withdrawing the wedge,the same being shown in cross-section.

- In the several figures, A indicates the axle, and B the clipconnecting the coupling with said axle and which is formed withl thebody of t-he coupling. The latter consists of an u pper and lowerhorizontal lug C and D, respectively. Upon the upper lug is a barrel orlug E, which is formed with said upperlug and channeled outsubstantially as shown at F, such channel being cut parallel with theaxle. The barrel and lug C are bored out, as shown in Fig. l, at Gr, andsuch bore is carried through the lower lug D as well, allof which isshown in Fig. l. The barrel above said bore G is provided with a squareopening H opening therefor prevent the wedge turning in the barrel,thereby keepingit in its proper operating position. Between the lugs Oand D are pivoted two jaws K by means of pivots L, which pass throughboth lugs, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l. The forward end ofeach jaw carries a tapered lug or head adapted to enter the eye N of thethill. These are arranged adjacent to each other and cooperate asdescribed and shown. The rear extremities of the jaws are pointed andwhen lying adjacent to each other present the appearance shown in Fig. 4in unbroken lines, and when separated appear asin dotted lines in saidligure and in Fig. 2 as well. In order to separate the jaws at the rearto carry their forward ends into engagement with the eye N, I provide awedge J, Figs. l, 3, and 4. The sides of the wedge and the adjacentportions of the jaws are beveled at an angle, so that when the former isentered between the jaws movement ofthose members is prevented. Thebottom of said wedge is pointed substantially as shown, so that whenentering the said beveled adjacent "portions of the jaws separation isreadily accomplished. The upper end of the stem I is round incross-section and carries a cross-arm O, held between the shoulderformed at the top of the square portion of lthe stem and a head P,formed with the latter, as shown. An openingspring Q between the wedgeand the barrel E at the top of the bore H serves to normally keep thewedge seated between the jaws K. When occupying this position, the crossarm O rests in the bottom of the channel F, as shown in Fig. l. In orderto raise the wedge, the cross-arm O is raised against thepressure of thespring and swung at right angles to the channel against the pressure ofthe said spring and rests upon the top of the barrel. The roundedportion of the .stem permits the cross-arm to turn, while the squareportion, as above described, prevents the wedge from turning, so that itis always.V

in proper position for entering between the l jaws. The rear ends of thejaws are recessed,

as shown at R, Fig. 4, and a closing-spring R',-V

IOO

and D; but this is merely to strengthen the parts and forms no part ofmy invention.

In Figs. '7, 8, and 9 I have shown modified forms of the coupling. Inthe first two figures an eccentric or cam is substituted for thecross-arm O. Vhen in the position shown, the wedge is in engagement withthe jaws below; but when thrown to the dotted-line position lthe wedgeis raised. This constitutes a very convenient form of the device and isvery effective when it is desired to make the coupling serve as a meansof detaching the horse from the vehicle in case of accident or arunaway. By attaching suitable cords or wires to the arms of the camsthey may be quickly raised to release the jaws. Evidently this may alsobe done with the `form first described by using suitable means foraccomplishing it. Fig. 8 is a View of the eccentric, showing thestempivoted between its bifurcated extremity. Fig. 9 shows another form, inwhich a screw U and wedge at its lower end are made as an integral part.The wedge is conical in form and turns as it enters and leaves the jaws.The screw is entered from below when assembling the parts, and the upperend carries a thumb-piece by which to turn it.

In bringing out my invention I am aware that the lugs or heads M forengaging` the eye of the thill are not new; but my peculiar form of thejaws that carry them and the means forlocking and releasing them arenew. I may vary the construction of the device or change the location ofthe parts or omit some of the minor elements without departing from thespirit or intent of my invention.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a thill-coupling, thecombination of the body thereof consisting of an upper and lower lug,jaws pivoted between the lugs and extending forward of and behind theirpivotal points, the said forward ends carrying lugs, or heads forentering the eye of the thill and a wedge for engaging the rear ends otthe jaws and adapted to enter between and separate them to cause theforward ends to approach one another to engage the thill as described.

2. In a thill-coupling, the combination of an upper and lower lug, apair of jaws pivoted between them and adapted to swing horizontally ontheir pivots, the said jaws projecting forward, extensions on the saidforward ends for entering the eye of the thill, said jaws extendingrearwardly from their pivotal points, a vertically-operated wedgeadjacent to such rear extensions and adapted to enter between them toseparate said jaws to bring their forward ends into engagement with thethill at their forward ends, a barrel above the rear ends of the jawsfor supporting the said wedge a spring for depressing the said wedge andmeans by which to withdraw the wedge from between the jaws against thepressure of said spring substantially as set forth.

8. In a thill-coupling, the body comprising an upper and lower lugattached to the aXle of the vehicle, a pair of jaws pivoted between thesame and having forward and rearward extensions, the former for enteringthe eye of the thill, the latter adapted to be separated by meansentered between them, a springactuated wedge for accomplishing suchseparation, means forsupporting and guiding the Wedge and means by whichto raise and sustain said wedge above the jaws which consists of across-arm attached to and swiveled upon the top of the said supportingmeans substantially as set forth.

4. In a thill-coupling, a body consisting of an upper and'lower lugattached to the axle of the vehicle, a pair of jaws pivoted between themthe same extending forward of their points and having extensions toenter the eye of the thill, said jaws also projecting rearwardly, aspring at such rear ends adapted to bring such ends together whenliberated, a vertically-moving wedge to enter between the jaws at therear and separate them, a stem for supporting and guiding the wedge, aspring surrounding the stern, means by which to raise the stem and wedgeagainst pressure of said spring, a swiveled cross-arm on the top of thestem, a channel in the supporting means for permitting such cross-armsto lie therein while the wedge is in engagement with the jaws all beingarranged whereby the said cross-arm may be raised from the channel andthus raise the wedge the former adapted to be turned at right angles tothe channel and rest upon the supporting means thus preventing the wedgeentering between the jaws.

5. In a thilLcoupling, a body consisting of lugs C and D, jaws K pivotedbetween them the same extending forward of their pivotal points, lugs orheads M at the forward ends for engaging the thill, the rear ends beingbeveled to permit them to approach each IOO IIO

other to separate their forward ends, a spring I between said rear endsfor drawing them together, a wedge J for entering between and separatingsaid rear ends, a stem I for carry ing the wedge,a drum or barrel E forthe stem, a spring Q surrounding the stem and lying between the saidWedge and the drum for the purposes set forth, said stem adapted toraise the wedge and rest upon the said drum substantially as set forthand for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES L. FRAZIER. Vtfitnesses:

FRANK T. MILLER," J. H. BLUSOH.

